The Grand Prior of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St
George, His Eminence Renato Raffaele, Cardinal Martino, representing the
Grand Master, received in Rome the Tongan Head of State, His Majesty
King George V Tupou.

His Eminence and His Majesty held
cordial talks on furthering co-operation between the Constantinian Order
and the Kingdom of Tonga. Cardinal Martino recalled his past visit to
Tonga - a country where Roman Catholics in the south pacific nation
number some 16%. The King also paid tribute to the role and contribution
of the Catholic community to Tongan society.

Among other issues discussed were the
role of faith in Tonga and the wider pacific region, inter-religious
understanding and the joint desire to further cooperation at all levels
between Italy and Tonga.

The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Tonga
to the Italian Republic, HE Mr Sione Ngongo Kioa and Mr David Dunkley,
Principal Private Secretary to the Tongan monarch were among the members
of the Tongan delegation present during the one hour meeting which was
followed by a reception.

The Constantinian Order delegation in
attendance on the Grand Prior were the Secretary General of the Royal
House of Bourbon Two Sicilies, HE Ambassador Giuseppe Balboni Acqua,
KCVO, the Grand Magistral Delegate for Inter-Religious Relations, HE Mr
Anthony Bailey and his wife HSH Princess Marie-Therese von Hohenberg, Dr
Alberto Calafato Janelli, Private Secretary to The Duke and Duchess of
Castro and Mr Vincenzo Giovagnorio Head of the Protocol of the Sacred
Military Constantinian Order of St George.

During King George V Tupou's visit to
Rome His Majesty also paid an official visit to the Holy Father, Pope
Benedict XVI in the Vatican City and held talks with HMEH Frà Matthew
Festing, Prince and Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of
Malta at the Palace of Malta in Rome.